Bob Marley's heirs fight in NV court for his image

[January 22, 2011]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A lawyer told a federal jury in Las Vegas that Bob Marley's children don't want to see the reggae legend portrayed as a bobblehead or a plush toy.

Attorney Jill Pietrini used closing arguments in a lawsuit to cast a business interference claim as a battle for the Jamaican singer's legacy.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday that Marley's widow and nine of his 11 children are seeking damages from a Nevada corporation called AVELA and its licensees.

They accuse the defendants of improperly making and selling apparel featuring Marley's image.

Attorney Byron Ball, who represents the defendants, says Marley's name isn't being improperly used.

Marley's heirs, under the name Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd. and Zion Rootswear, filed the lawsuit in 2008.

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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com/

[Associated Press]

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